UNION WINS RE-INSTATEMENT FOR FIVE REVENUE PROTECTION OFFICERS

september 2005 :: RMTnews 7 F ive Guildford-based revenue protection assistants have won their jobs back on South West Trains after appeals found that the dismissals were too harsh and did not take custom and practice into account. Problems began when a manager decided to take action against staff that were simply carrying out practices that had been established for decades. Staff left their place of work ten minutes or so early to catch trains home on the understanding that they were in uniform and still on duty. Staff then informed the guard in charge of their train of their presence in order to assist if required. However, the five RMT members were suddenly accused of falsifying time sheets and sacked. Company Council reps Brian Woods and Rickey Goodman who represented all five of the men said that management went at the situation “like a bull in a china shop”. “These are dedicated staff who just want to do their jobs, one member involved Peter Rachman was voted employee of the month before being sacked,” they said. Following union representation by Brian and Rickey two members were re- instated straight away and the remaining three were re-instated at their appeals. Assistant general secretary Pat Sikorski said that it was a classic case highlighting exactly why workers should be in a union. “Being in a union is an insurance policy to insure your job is safe and RMT can give you the best back-up around just when you need it,” he said. Union wins re-instatement for five revenue protection officers REINSTATED: (From left to right) Company Council reps Brian Woods and Rickey Goodman with RPA’s Simon Gillman and Pete Rackman shaking hands with AGS Pat Sikorski, and witness Mike Horne. The other reinstated RMT members not in picture are Dave Monger, Barry Behan and Jonty Churchill